Marine marker



Dec. 20, 1960 D. JACKSON 2,965,029

MARINE MARKER Filed March 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. D. JACKSON Dec. 20, 1960 MARINE MARKER 4' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Marqh 25, 1945 arwm'vbo'v L. D. JACKSON Dec. 20, 1960 D. JACKSON 2,965,029

MARINE MARKER Filed March 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 L. D. JA ON Dec. 20, 1960 D. JACKSON MARINE MARKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 25, 1945 L. D. JACKSON United States Patent MARINE MARKER Leonard D. Jackson, 2601 Davis Ave., Alexandria, Va. Filed Mar. 23, 1945, Ser. No. 584,478

13 Claims. (Cl. 1027.6) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), see. 266) This invention relates to marine markers and is partic ularly adapted for use during the day in indicating the location of underwater obstructions, submarines, depth charges and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to marine markers adapted to be launched by an operator into a body of water and to explode at or near the surface thereof and spread a water soluble dye thereon.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved marine marker containing a quantity of dye material and adapted to be launched from the deck of a surface vessel or aircraft in flight, as the case may be, and to color the water surface after the bursting charge therein has exploded.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved marine marker adapted to indicate the initial point of contact with a submarine and to pro vide means whereby such point of contact can be marked to permit further search and attack upon the submarine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved marine marker adapted to be released simultaneously with a depth charge thereby coloring the water surface and indicating that danger lurks therein and that such area should be avoided.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a marine marker adapted to be used in such a manner as to form a pattern about a submarine being attacked, there by indicating the position of each depth charge dropped simultaneously therewith.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved marine marker which is economical to manufacture, reliable in operation and which possesses the qualities of durability during handling and transportation.

Still other objects, novel features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the marker and showing the firing unit in safety condition;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the marker of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a centrally longitudinal section view of the marker taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged sectional view of the firing unit and showing the striker in a released or fired position;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the time delay fuse adapted for use with the firing or igniter unit;

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the time delay fuse before the quickmatches have been embedded in each end thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing an alternate form of firing means;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation view of the marker of Fig. 8 but showing the marker in condition to be launched;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view of the marker of Fig. 8 and showing the firing or igniter unit and associate parts thereof;

Fig. 11 is a detail elevational view of the upper portion of the igniter unit and time delay container; and.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-l2 of Fig. ll.

Referring to the drawings in detail for a more complete understanding of the invention, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the marker disclosed thereon comprises an annular member 10, composed of wood or any other material suitable for the purpose and having an enlarged opening 11 extending therethrough. A pair of containers composed of heavy cardboard or the like and each container being generally indicated by the reference charac ter 12, are supported on opposite flat sides 13 of the annular member 10, Each container 12 comprises a cylindrical body portion 14 having end walls 15 secured theretoin the usual manner as shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings. The end wall 15 of each container 12 is adapted to have abutting relation with respect to the respective fiat sides of the annular member 10 and the usual beads 16 are provided on each container 12. Each bead 16 is adapted to seat in a recess 17 provided in the annular member 10 adjacent each fiat surface thereof. Plates or disks 18 composed of metal or any other material suitable for the purpose are arranged within each container 12 in abutting relation with respect to each end wall 15 thereof, thereby providing reinforcing means therefor, and also providing means for clamping the end walls 15 to their respective fiat sides 13 of the annular member 10. The containers 12 are secured to the annular member 10 by screws 19 or the like passing through registering openings provided in the plates 18, and in the walls 15 of each container 12, and adapted to be screwed into the annular member 10 thereby supporting the container in position on opposite side of the annular member.

The containers 12 are each filled with dye compound suitable for the pur ose such, for example, as fluorescein dye compound indicated by the reference character 21 which is adapted to float at the surface of the water. Covers or closure members 22 seal the ends of each container 12 after the containers are filled with the fluores cein dye compounds 21. The covers or closures 22 are secured to the containers 12 preferably by cement or the like, in such a manner as to prevent moisture from seeping therebetween thereby preventing deterioration of the fluorescein dye compounds 21. if desired. the containers 12 may have a copious amount of any well known type of moisture resisting compound applied thereto after assembly thereof, thus prevening moisture from contacting the dye contained therein and causing deterioration thereof. An elongated combustible moisture proof con tainer generally indicated by the reference character 23 and com osed of Celluloid or any other combustible material suitable for the purpose is supported by the plates 18 within suitable openings 20 provided therefor in each plate 18. The container 23 comprises an elongated cylindrical member 24 having an opening 25 therein, the purpose of which will be hereafter described. End caps 26 and 27 seal the ends of the cylindrical member 24, thereby sealing an explosive powder charge or bursting charge 28 therein. The combustible container 23 is of such length as to pass through the enlarged opening 11 in the annular member 10 and also pass through openings 20 in the plates 18 and is adapted to extend a predetermined distance into each container 12. thereby providing means for causing disintegration of the container 12 when explosion of the powder charge occurs.

A firing unit generallv indic ted b the reference character 29. which is simil r to the conventional firing unit employed with hand grenades is supported by the annular member 10 and includes a body portion 31, a pivotally mounted striker 32 arranged within the body, a firing spring 33, a lever 34 for holding the striker in cocked position, a safety pin 35 for retaining the lever in place on the firing unit until the marker is launched and .the. usual primer 36 mounted within the body 31 The firing unit 2? is secured to the annular member in any suitable rrrar' ner, preferably by a screw threaded nipple 37 integrally connected thereto and adapted to have threaded engagement with a threaded opening 38 in the annular member 10. A gasket 39 is disposed betweenthe body portion 31 of the firing unit andtl e annular member 10 thereby providing a moisture proof joint therebetween. A reduced tubular member 41 is integrally connected to the nipple 37 and; extends into the openingll. provided in the annular member 10 and is adapted to receive and support the upper portion of a time delay fuse or slow burning fuse 42 therein. A portion of the tubular member 41 isadapted to be wrapped with a strip of -kraft wrapping paper 43, the wrapping extending below the lower end thereof and covering a portion of the. time delay fuse 42 which extends beyond the tubular member 41 andextends into the combustible container 23thereby enclosing the lower end of the tubular member so that sparks created by the burning of the fuse42 will be prevented from contacting the combustible container and causing combustion thereof and premature firing of the powder charge 28 arranged therein.

A length of quickmatch 44 is embedded; in the upper end of the fuse. 42 subjacentthe primer andin predetermined spaced relation therewith for igniting the time delay fuse after the lever 34 has been released by the operator. The other end of the time delay fuse 42 passes through the opening 25 provided in the elongated cylindrical member 24 and extends into the exposive charge 28, arranged therein, the fuse being cemented to the cylindrical member 24 as at 45. Another length ofquickmatch 46 is embedded in the lower end of the time delay fuse 42 for causing firing of the powder charge 28 after ignition of the time delay fuse occurs. I

As clearly shown on Figs. 3 and-4 of the. drawings, the time delay fuse 42 is arranged within the opening 11 of the annular member 10 and is enclosed therein by means of the end walls and the plates or disks 18 of containers 12. Furthermore, it will be understood that the containers 12 are cemented; about the recesses 17 formed in the annular member 10 in such manner as to to provide a moistureproof joint between the containers and the annular member therebyprevenb ing moisture from contacting the time delay fuse and causing deterioration thereof during transportation and storage. It will now be apparent that the opening 11 in the annularmember 10 also provides means whereby the time delay fuse 42 may be readily insertedin theopening. 25in the combustible container 23. during assembly thereof and also provides means wherebythe fuse'inay be secured as by cement to the combustible container, thus providing a positive powder chain tothe exposive charge 28 within the combustible container. i

The time delay fuse 42 is of any well known type, preferably of the type known in the art as Ensign Bickfordfuse. A pair of diametrically arranged slits 47 are provided in each end portion respectively ofthe time delay fuse 42 and a quantity of powder chain is also removed therefrom to allow for theinsertion of a quickmatch in each end portion thereof, as shown on the drawings, especially in Fig. 6 there-of. A length of cord 48 or the like is twined about each end portion of the fuse 42 in such a manner as to contract each end portion thereof and secure the quickmatch within each end portion of the fuse 42.

When the safety pin 35 has been removed from the: firing or igniter unit the lever 34 is held in the initial position by the. operator until heheaves the device into the water, thus releasing thelever 34, wherebythe-sp'ring tensioned striker 32 is allowed to, strike. the primer- 36;

with sufficient force to cause firing thereof and produce a burst of flame. The flame ignites the quickrnatch 44 embedded in the upper end of the time delay fuse 42, there-by causing ignition of the time fuse and allowing a predetermined'period of time to elapse before the time delay fuse ignites the quickmatch 46 embedded in the lower end thereof and arranged within the cxposive charge 28 enclosedwithin the container 23.

Upon ignition of the quickmatch 46 the powder or bursting charge explodes with sufficient force to cause disintegration of the containers 12, thereby spreading the fiuorescein dye compound upon the water. Therefore, as the dye is water soluble upon contact therewith, the dye will color a considerable portion of the surface of the water a yellow-green, and thus the colored spots upon the water surface will be visible for a distance of approximately 3,000 yards from the deck of a ship and approximately five miles from an aircraft in flight and usuallyremain visible upon the surface of the body of water for approximately 45 minutes.

OnFigs, 8 to 12, inclusive, of the drawings, is shown an alternate form of the marker in which the general appearance thereof is the same as the marker of Fig. 1, and therefore suchlike parts shown in Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, are indicated by like reference characters as heretofore usedin connection. with the marker of Fig. 1. ()n Fig. 10 of the drawings, the firing or igniter unit is somewhat different than the firing unit employed with the preferred embodiment of the device ofFigs. 1 to 7, inclusive, inasmuch as, the firing unit is of the puller igniter type. The igniter unit and time delay fuse container generally indicated by the reference character 49 and comprising a tubular member 51 of any material suit able for the purpose such, for example, as heavy cardboard,is arranged within an opening 52 provided therefor in the annularmember 10. The tubular member 51 is of such length as, to extend into the combustible container- 23 through an opening 50 therein somewhat larger in diameter than-the opening 25 shown in the preferred form of. the device.

The igniter unit includes a length of pull igniter wire of any well known type. suitable for the purpose, preferably ofthe type known in the trade as Ensign Bickford igniter adapted to be disposed within the upper end of the tube 5 1 and comprises the usual igniter cap 53 and igniter wire 54, having a loop or eye 55 formed at the; upper end thereof, thereby providing means whereby one end of a pull cord or the like 56 may be attached thereto, while the otherend of the pull cord has a finger ring or grip ring 57 attached thereto. Fig. 8 shows the device in safety condition inasmuch as the igniter wire is bent in such a manner as to hug the annular member 10 and the pull cord 56 is coiled about one of the containers 12 and held in such condition by ast-rip of ad hesive tape; 53 or the like of such length as to extend over the igniter wireand the convolutions of the pull cord; and; adapted to adhere thereto and to each container 12.

A time delayfuse 59, Fig. 10, similarto the fuse 42 is disposed within the tubular member 51 and is adapted to have a length of quickmatch 61 embedded in the upper end thereof and held therein by means of the crimped or restricted end 60 of a metal tube or the like that encloses the upper end of the fuse 59. Thequickmatch 61 is Spaced; apredetermined distance. from the. igniter. cap 53 so that; ignition of the quickmatch will occur when the cap has been ignited by a pull on the igniter wire 54. Furthermore, the time fuse 59 is adapted to extend beyond the lower end of the tubular member -51 and into the power charge or bursting charge 28 arranged within the combustible container 23 and is provided with a length of quickmatch 62 embedded in the. lower end there'of=and.'l eld therein in anysuita-ble manner.

Asheretofore described they lower. end 'of the tubular h ough. anopening 50 provided in the container 23 and is cemented thereto as at 63. The tubular member 51 is adapted to be wrapped with a strip of kraft wrapping paper 64, the wrapping extending below the lower end thereof and covering the lower end portion of the fuse 59, thereby enclosing the lower end of the tubular member and the fuse 59 so that sparks created by the burning of the fuse will be prevented from contacting the powder charge 28 whereby premature firing of the powder charge 28 will not occur. A plate 65 composed of metal or any other material suitable for the purpose is arranged on the annular member about the opening 52 provided therein and is secured thereto by a plurality of nails, or the like, indicated by the reference character 66. The plate is adapted to close the opening 52 provided in the annular member 10, thereby protecting the upper end of the tube 51 and also preventing movement of the tube 51 within the annu ar member 10. A centrally disposed opening 67 is provided within the plate 65 for the passage of the ign'ter wire 54 therethrough.

As clearly shown on Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings, the upper end of the tube is flattened as at 68 and a staple 69 is adapted to be pressed through the tube at the flattened portion thereof, thereby securing the igniter cap 53 in fixed position within the end of the tube. The igniter wire 54 is also clamped between the flattened portion of the tube and is held in relative fixed posit-on therein by means of the staple 69. It is apparent, therefore, that to remove the igniter wire 54, a hard tug or pull must be applied thereto, whereby the igniter wire is drawn through the igniter cap 53. In the alternate form of the device shown on Figs. 8 to 12, the operation is substantially the same as the operation of the preferred form of the device, but instead of employing a striker, pu ler igniter means are employed for igniting the time fuse. It will be understood, however, that before the marker is in condition for operation the igniter wire 54 and the pull cord 56 must be freed by removing the tape 58 from the containers 12. When the tape 58 has been removed, the pull cord 56 is untwined and the ring 57 is grasped by the operator after the free end of the igniter wire 54 has been straightened, as shown on Fig. 10.

As the operator holds the ring 57 attached to one end of the pull cord 56 and throws the marker into the water, the igniter wire 54 is drawn through the igniter cap 53 when the marker has moved a predetermined distance from the operator, whereby the igniter wire frictionally engages the igniter cap 53 as it passes therethrough and produces a flame therefrom which ignites the quickmatch 61 embedded in the upper end of the fuse 59 and init'ates burning thereof. The explosive charge is fired by the fuse 59 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed thus coloring the water surface to indicate that danger lurks therein or that an initial point of contact with a submarine has been established, as the case may be.

It will, of course, be understood that, if desired, a plurality of marine markers of the present invention may be launched to form a pattern of dye on the surface of the water, within a target area thereby to give a clear indication of the presence of the submarine to attacking aircraft in the event that the sky is sufficiently overcast or there is insuflicient daylight to render the dye material of a single marine marker readily visible to the personnel of the attacking aircraft.

Although two embodiments of the device are i1lustrated and described, it is to be understood that various changes in the details of construction and in the comb'nation and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the pay ment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of containers secured thereto and having a quantity of dye compounds respectively disposed therein, an elongated container composed of combustible material and arranged within said dye compounds, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container, a firing element supported by said annular member, means including a pull wire disposed within said element for firing the element as the wire is forcibly pulled therethrough, a time delay fuse arranged in operative relation with respect to said firing element and fired thereby, and a combustible element mounted in said time delay fuse and embedded in said explosive charge and ignited by said time delay fuse for firing said explosive charge in predetermined time delay relation with respect to the firing of the firing element, whereby said explosive charge will cause disintegration of said containers and spread the dye compound on the surface of the water within a predetermined target area.

2. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container composed of combustible material supported within said dve containers, an explosive charge arranged within said elongated container and adapted to disintegrate the dye containers, a firing unit mounted in said annular member and extending into said elongated container, one end thereof being embedded in said explosive charge, igniter means arranged within said annular member for firing sa d firing unit, means arranged within said end of the firing un t and fired thereby for firing said explosive charge thereby to disintegrate said dye containers and spread the dye upon the water, and means for igniting said igniter means as the marker is launched.

3. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container having an opening therein and composed of combustible material supported within said dye containers, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container and adapted to disintegrate said containers, a tubular member supported within said annular member and having firing means arranged therein, said tubular member being adapted to pass through said opening in the combustible conta'ner and extend a predetermined distance therein, and said firing means including means for firing said explosive charge thereby to disintegrate said dye containers and spread the dye upon the surface of the water.

4. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container composed of combustible material and supported within said dye containers, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container and adapted to disintegrate said dye containers, a tubular member supported within said annular member, said tubular member extending into said explosive charge, a firing unit and time delay unit arranged within said tubular member, said firing unit being adapted to ignite said time delay unit whereby a predetermined period of time elapses before the explosive charge is fired, and means for firing said firing unit.

5. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annu ar member having an opening therethrough, a pair of dye containers respectively secured to opposite sides of said annular member and enclosing said opening, an

elongated container composed of combustible material supported by said dye containers and adapted to extenda predetermined distance therein, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container and adapted to disintegrate said dye containers, a firing unit supported by said annular member, means for firing said firing unit, a time delay fuse having one end thereof arranged within said firing means and the other end thereof imbedded within said explosive charge and adapted to be fired by said firing unit, and said time delay fuse having means for firing said explosive charge in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to the firing of said firing unit.

i 6. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising a supporting member, a plurality of containers secured to said supporting member, said containers having a quantity of dye compounds respectively arranged therein, an elongated combustible container supported by said dye containers and extending a predetermined distance therein, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container and adapted to cause disintegration of said dye containers, a firing unit supported by said supporting member, means for firing said firing unit, a time delay fuse arranged within said firing unit and adapted to be fired by said firing means, and said time delay fuse having means for firing said explosive charge in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to the firing of the firing unit, whereby the force of the explosionwill disintegrate said containers and spread said dye compound within the water.

7. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member having an opening therethrough, a pair of dye containers secured to said annular member and enclosing said opening, a tubular container adapted to extend a predetermined distance into each of the dye containers, a pair of supports respectively arranged in each of said dye containers for supporting said tubular container, an explosive charge arranged within said tubular container and adapted to disintegrate said dye containers, a firing unit supported by said annular member, means for firing said firing unit, a time delay fuse enclosed within said opening in said annular member, said time delay fuse being adapted to be ignited by said firing unit and having one end thereof arranged within said firing means and the other end thereof extending into said tubular container in embedded relation with said explosive charge whereby the explosive charge is fired in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to the firing of said firing unit.

8. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member having opposing flat side portions thereon, a pair of containers respectively secured to each of said side portions and each container having a quantity of dye compound disposed therein, an elongated combustible container supported by said dye containers and extending a predetermined distance into the dye containers, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible contaier and adapted to cause disintegration of said dye containers, a time delay fuse, a firing unit supported by said annular member and having one end of said time delay fuse arranged therein, and the other end of the fuse in embedded relation with said explosive charge, means enclosing said time delay fuse for preventing premature firing ofthe explosive'charge as the time delay fuse burns, means included within the firing unit for igniting said time delay fuse, and means operatively connected to said time delay fuse for firing said explosive charge in predetermined time delayed relationwith respect to the firing of the firing unit.

9. A marine marker of the character described adapted 'tofbe launched into a body ofwater and comprising an annular member having an opening therethrough, a pair of dye containers secured to said annular member and enclosing said opening, an elongated container composed of: combustible material supported within said dye con- 'tainers, an explosive chargearranged within said conibustible container and adapted to disintegrate said dye containers, said annular member having a bore therein in communication with said opening, a tubular member arranged within said bore and extending through said opening and into said combustible container, a plate having an aperture therein and secured to said annular member about said bore for preventing shifting of said tubular member within the annular member, a firing unit and time delay unit arranged within saidtubular member, and said firing unit having a firing element extending exteriorly through said, aperture and being adapted to fire said time delay unit in response to the actuation of said firing element whereby said explosive charge is fired in predetermined time delayed relation with respect to the actuation of the firing element.

10. A marine marker of the character dsecribed adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a pair of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container composed of combustible material and arranged within said dye containers, an explosive charge disposed within said elongated container and adapted to disintegrate the dye containers, a tubular member supported within said annular member and extending into said combustible container, an igniter unit arranged within an end portion of said tubular member, said igniter unit including an igniter cap and pull igniter wire extending therethrough, means for causing the igniter wire to be drawn through the igniter cap as the marker is launched, said tubular member being provided with a time delay fuse in the lower end thereof, said time delay fuse having a length of quickmatch embedded in the upper end thereof and adapted to ignite the time delay fuse as the igniter wire is drawn throughtthe igniter cap, an additional length of quickmatch embedded in the lower end of said time delay fuse and arranged within said explosive charge, said quickmatch being adapted to fire the explosive charge in time delayed relation with respect to the ignition of the time delay fuse.

11. A marine marker of the character described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container supported by said dye containers and having an opening therein, an explosive charge arranged within said elongated container for disintegrating said dye containers thereby to spread the dye on the water, atubular member supported within said annular member, a pyrotechnic device having one end arranged within the tubular member and the other end thereof extending through said opening and embedded in said explosive charge, igniter means arranged within the tubular member for igniting the pyrotechnic device and firing said explosive charge, and means for igniting said igniter means as the marker is launched.

12. A marine marker of the character disclosed adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container having an opening therein and supported by said dye containers, an explosive charge arranged within said elongated container, a tubular member supported within said annular member, a time delay fuze having one end arranged within the tubular member and the otherend thereof extending through said opening and embedded within said explosive charge, igniter means arranged within one end of said delay fuze for igniting the fuze as the marker is launched, means for igniting said igniter means, and means arranged in the other end of the delay fuze and ignited thereby when a predetermined period of time has elapsed for firing said explosive charge thereby to disintegrate the dye containers and spread the dye upon the water.

1. A mar e arksr t hwh s sr. described adapted to be launched into a body of water and comprising an annular member, a plurality of dye containers secured to said annular member, an elongated container having an opening therein and composed of combustible material supported within said dye containers, an explosive charge arranged within said combustible container and adapted to disintegrate said containers, a tubular member supported within said annular member, a fiash emitting device disposed within said tubular member constructed and arranged to be fired and to emit a flash therefrom as said marker is launched, means on the tubular member for firing said flash device, a delay element having one end arranged within the tubular member and ignited by said flash and the other end thereof extending through said opening and embedded in said explosive charge, and means arranged in said delay element and ignited thereby 1O for firing said explosive charge in time delayed relation with respect to said flash thereby to spread the dye upon the water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

